Junk food ad ban for London?

Published:18/05/2018

​Junk food advertising would be banned from the entire Transport for London network under bold proposals unveiled by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, as part of his drive to tackle the ‘ticking timebomb’ of child obesity.

London has one of the highest child overweight and obesity rates in Europe, with almost 40 per cent of children aged 10 and 11 overweight or obese.

Sadiq Khan last week called on the Government to treat the issue as a priority by joining him in the fight.

He is consulting on proposals to ban advertisements for unhealthy food and drink that are high in fat, salt or sugar across the entire Transport for London (TfL) estate, including the London Underground, London Overground and the capital’s buses and bus shelters, as part of a package of measures to take on child obesity.

The groundbreaking plans are a key part of the Mayor’s draft London Food Strategy, out consultation.

Research by the National Centre for Social Research and Cancer Research UK has shown that advertising of unhealthy foods – particularly when aimed at children – creates extra pressure on children and families when it comes to choosing what to eat and drink.

He has also proposed a ban on new hot food takeaways opening within 400 metres of schools as part of his draft London Plan and recently appointed the Chair and Vice-Chair of London’s first Child Obesity Taskforce, which will meet for the first time later this year.

Other proposals in the Mayor’s draft London Food Strategy include funding the development of plans by London boroughs to make better food more widely available across London.